Kim Eslinger
Editor
612-321-8040
kim@millcitymedia.org

Brianna Ojard
Associate Editor

David Tinjum
Publisher
612-321-8020
dave@millcitymedia.org

Claudia Kittock
Columnist / Non-Profits
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Becky Fillinger
Small Business Reporter
Producer / Milling About
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Michael Rainville Jr.
History Columnist
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Doug Verdier
River Matters

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Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share?  Contact us.

Sunday
Feb112018

Two Dates Left: Winter at the Walker

Celebrate Winter at the Walker with myriad activities both indoors and out during Target Free Thursday Nights. Trek out into the cold or thaw out inside with a warm drink. The Main Lobby transforms into a hygge haven in the Walker Warming House with art-making, music, and more.

FEBRUARY 15 AND 22: WINTER AT THE WALKER

Moonlight Snowshoe Tours, 6 & 7:30 pm

Bundle up in your winter best and join us for moonlight snowshoe tours of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Meet your guide in the Main Lobby, then venture out to see the snow-covered sculptures. Snowshoes are available free of charge, courtesy the University of Minnesota Center for Outdoor Adventure.

Little Box Sauna, 5–9 pm

Not into the cold? Sweat it out in the portable Little Box Sauna! Check it out for free on Thursdays in February and meet the architect. Book a proper sauna experience on weekends (Fridays–Sundays) through March 4 at littleboxsauna.com (fee applies).

February 15: Snowshoe Showcase

Art Demonstration, 5–9 pm

John Beltman of the North House Folk Art School makes the snowy trek down from Grand Marais to share his decades of expertise about the crafting and history of snowshoes. Available all night in the Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab.

February 22: Weather Cartography

Art-Making: Weather Maps, 5–9 pm

Ever curious about the color patterns in meteorological reports? Join artist Alyssa Baguss and Jenny Undis of Lunalux when they present their specially debossed maps of the state of Minnesota that allow us to track changing weather patterns through colorful cartography. Available all night in the main lobby.

Music from DJ Brian Engle, 5–9 pm

Relax and vibe out to tunes spun on vinyl by DJ Brian Engle.

Don’t forget, you can also escape the cold in the Walker galleries - Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm.

Saturday
Feb102018

Restaurant Week February 18-23

Celebrate the best of Twin Cities dining with a week's worth of great deals in some of the Twin Cities trendiest and best restaurants during Restaurant Week, February 18-23. Participating restaurants will serve two to three course, prix fixe menus for just $10 to $35 per person. (beverage, tax and gratuity not included)

Sponsored by: Josh Cellars (To learn about the "Glass on Josh" promotion during February Restaurant Week click here!). Non-Profit Partner: Dining Out For Life® facilitated by The Aliveness Project.

Friday
Feb092018

Spring 2018 Talk of the Stacks Series Announced

Via a February 8 e-newsletter from Friends of the Hennepin County Library:

We are thrilled to announce our Spring 2018 Talk of the Stacks series, featuring some of today's most compelling literary voices! We hope you'll join us for our series of insightful and thought-provoking conversations.

Talk of the Stacks takes place at Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall. Events are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:15pm, Programs begin at 7:00pm.

Tuesday, February 27: Alicia Eler & Stephanie Glaros in conversation with MPR'S Stephanie Curtis

This dynamic trio will explore identity, authentic storytelling, and how to build a personal brand through the lens of digital media. Alicia Eler is the author of The Selfie Generation: How Our Self-Images Are Changing Our Notions of Privacy, Sex, Consent, and Culture. Stephanie Glaros is a teaching artist, author, and speaker, best known for her blog and book, Humans of Minneapolis. Stephanie Curtis is the Senior Producer for MPR's The Thread and co-host of The Cube Critics, a weekly film review podcast. 

Tuesday, April 24: Alex Wagner, CBS News Anchor & Correspondent

In her narrative nonfiction debut Futureface: A Family Mystery, an Epic Quest, and the Secret to Belonging, Alex Wagner takes a journey into her own ancestry and discovers the ways in which race and immigration redefine the American experience.

Wednesday, May 16: Tracy K. Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate & Pulitzer Prize Winner 

U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith is the author of The Body's QuestionDuende, and Life on Mars, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Her memoir, Ordinary Light, was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in nonfiction. Smith's forthcoming collection of poems, Wade in the Water, deftly dissects the nature of citizenship in a time when the American past and present continuously collide. 

Note - The May 3rd and 4th events with Jesmyn Ward are already sold out.

Friday
Feb092018

News from Downtown Resource Group (DRG)

The Downtown Resource Group (DRG), located in the North Loop at 700 Washington Ave N, would like to share a few items with our readers.

First, there's the January 2018 Minneapolis Market Report:

Next, throughout the month of February, post your date night photos using the hashtag #DRGDateNight for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

Follow them on Facebook for more market updates, offers and related events.

Friday
Feb092018

Rewire Segment Delves into the Recycling Dilemma and Possible Solutions

This Rewire video looks at how China's discontinuation of processing US recyclable materials (due to too many contaminants) has forced changes in the recycling industry. Recycling contamination has been an issue for years, and we should all be concerned about it. It makes it difficult for sorting facilities to make a profit, and results in more trash going to landfills.

In this video, experts across the country discuss ideas on how to fix this difficult situation, and explore the solutions that were piloted at the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis.

Thursday
Feb082018

2017 Statistics from St. Stephen's Human Services

Excerpt from February 8 e-newsletter from St. Stephen's Human Services:

Mission Statement:

The mission of St. Stephen’s Human Services is ending homelessness. We progress toward this goal through a range of effective emergency services, shelter and housing programs for individuals and families. We envision a community in which housing instability is rare, brief and non-recurring, ending homelessness as we know it.

Tuesday
Feb062018

A Moment of Zen on a Cold Winter Day

I came across this video on someone's Facebook feed and thought others would enjoy it. It was posted on Vimeo by Kurtis Jackson. (The roughly 3 minute downhill journey and music start at about the 18 second mark.) The beauty of being one with nature in the winter! :)

Sunday
Feb042018

MPRB to Honor Commissioner Young with Community Comments and Resolution Renaming Park

Via a February 2 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Public invited to share remarks honoring Young’s contributions to city and park system at February 7 meeting

At its Feb. 7, 2018 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners will consider a resolution authorizing Riverside Park to be renamed Annie Young Riverside Park in honor of the recent passing of Annie Young, a dedicated environmental and riverfront advocate during her 28-year tenure on the Park Board. The resolution also calls for the area within the park along West River Parkway, called Lower Riverside Park, to be renamed Annie Young Memorial Meadow. 

A celebration of Young’s legacy is scheduled at 6 pm during the Feb. 7 Board meeting. Board meetings are held at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road. Following comments by public officials and Young’s family, the community is invited to share their thoughts and memories from Young’s career.

Young served seven consecutive terms as an At Large Commissioner, from January 1990 until December 2017, making her one of the two longest-serving commissioners in the MPRB’s 134-year history. She passed away last month at the age of 75.

Young was a lifelong environmentalist who spearheaded solar energy use in parks, clean water initiatives and a 95% reduction in chemical pesticide application on Minneapolis park land. She was also a powerful Mississippi River advocate, instrumental in the creation, development and stewardship of riverfront park land, which includes Riverside Park.

Riverside Park was one of the first parks established in Minneapolis. It is located at 2820 S Eighth St. and encompasses 28 acres of riverfront land on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. In 2005, MPRB Commissioner John Erwin nominated that an area within Riverside Park called Lower Riverside Park be renamed after Young. According to current Board President Brad Bourn, there has been strong support among past and current Board members for renaming the park in honor of Young and discussions were underway to do so after she retired from the Board.

Those who would like to give public testimony on the resolution to rename Riverside Park in Young’s honor may do so during the regularly scheduled 5:30 pm Open Time at the Feb. 7 Board meeting. Please sign up to speak in person before Open Time begins or call ahead at 612-230-6400.

Sunday
Feb042018

My North Series - Last Episodes of the 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl

The count down to Super Bowl 52 is complete! We've reached the end of the weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. With their odes to the state they love, we heard from tastemakers and stylemakers; artists and athletes; authors and entertainers. Below are final two episodes, 51 and 52 - click here to see more!

 

Sunday
Feb042018

MCBA Announces Dirty Works Classes for Kids!

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) Announces Dirty Works Classes for Kids!

This new series of second-Saturday classes welcomes kids ages 7-12 to get their hands dirty and create their own projects! Inspired by the popular class series for adults, Dirty Works for Kids offers a fun and inspiring lineup of classes that will push kids’ creative boundaries and expand their notions of what a book can be. Classes are held from 1-3 pm monthly, and topics range from making edible books and miniatures to pop-up dragons and paper ornaments. Check out all of our offerings:

Dirty Works for Kids: Edible Books
with Cindy Gipple
Saturday, March 10; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Miniature Books
with Cindy Gipple
Saturday, April 14; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Superhero Pop-up
with Erin Holt
Saturday, May 12; class 1-3pm
with Erin Holt
Saturday, June 9; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Zines
with Jill Weese
Saturday, July 14; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Making Books with Found Materials
with Olli Johnson
Saturday, August 11; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Stamps for Mail Art
with Olli Johnson
Saturday, September 8; class 1-3pm
.
with Olli Johnson
Saturday, October 13; class 1-3pm
.
Dirty Works for Kids: Silly "WANTED" Posters
with Erin Holt
Saturday, November 10; class 1-3pm 
Saturday
Feb032018

Mill City Youth Players Knock it out of the Park with "The M.A.S.K. Project" Performances

Article by Claudia Kittock; Photos and video by Ryan Ojard

What happens when you bring together young people from YouthLink and the Cedar Riverside community to create theater? Pure magic! If you were lucky enough to be in the Guthrie audience on January 25th or 26th, you saw that magic. Young actors with incredible talent and energy, brought their best to The M.A.S.K. Project, a production they wrote, produced, and performed. 

The Friends of the Mill District, a local charity, created the idea of an acting experience for young people from our community. In partnership with the Guthrie Theater, the Mill City Youth Players were formed in August of 2016. After the first production, each and every actor united in their determination to keep the Mill City Youth Players together. The Friends of the Mill District agreed and sought donors to help make it a reality.

While we all know that it takes a village to raise a child, we aren’t trying to raise children, but we are working to provide experiences for neighborhood youth that may not be available to them without some assistance. Thanks to the generosity and heart of this community, the Mill City Youth Players is now a vibrant program, located at the Guthrie.

Friends of the Mill District provide Metro Transit Go-To Cards to assist with transportation back and forth to rehearsals. We also asked for help from the community in providing food both before and after each rehearsal. The response was incredible, with over 25 people providing dinners and snacks. Each person who brought food soon discovered the magic of these young people as they chatted during dinner.

The actors mounted 2 performances with large crowds at each. We were treated to hilarity, ad-libs, audience participation, and poignant moments of poetry and music. Several actors read poems about ripping off our masks, about the ‘bluebird in my heart,’ about feeling invisible, and even a poem written and performed by Mahamed Salad about identity. Jackie Santrelle closed each performance with an incredible song about feeling not seen. The sheer talent level on that stage was staggering.

Friends of the Mill District is already planning for the next session. We are committed to this project and the people in our community who have become involved are also united in their support. After the last performance, I asked the actors if they wanted the Mill City Youth Players to continue. There was a unanimous roar of “YES!”

Here's what some of the performers had to say about their experience with this program:

Community can be built through art. Be it singing or acting, we discover our commonalities and are able to celebrate our differences when we unite to create art. The very work of creating art requires us to see each other, to know that no matter our differences we can only succeed if we all succeed. That is the essence of this work. We ARE stronger together. The work goes on.

How can you help?
• Be part of the army of neighbors who assist us with every session. 
• Send us your ideas and your thoughts about this project going forward.
• Contribute financially to the Friends of the Mill District.
• Contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com for any and all questions.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).
.
Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

 

Saturday
Feb032018

There is Love - Mill City Singers perform at Bold Hope in the North

Article by Claudia Kittock

There is Love!

The Mill City Singers, created and sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District, have had a fascinating history in the two years of existence. We began as a pilot project sponsored by DMNA and have progressed to a vibrant group of 204 community members, now sponsored by Friends of the Mill District. Today the Singers perform in venues across Minneapolis, led by the magical JD and Fred Steele.

On Sunday, January 28th, the Singers were featured at a Super Bowl LII event at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Bold Hope in the North. The event was designed to help raise money through the Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH). DCEH piloted a rental assistance program that has proven to be incredibly successful. Six months after families receive assistance, 80% are still in their homes.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program allows DCEH to further its focus on long-term housing solutions by expanding the areas of involvement to include homeless prevention. The DCEH ERA pools together resources, experience, and capacity in the member congregations to have a coordinated impact within the same programmatic structure.

The program supports individuals and families by providing rental assistance in a time of financial crisis. A crucial component of the program is providing relationship and additional services or activities to help clients develop skills and community in their goal of keeping stable housing. By providing financial and personal growth services, DCEH ERA will help people stay in their homes instead of facing an eviction in this crisis, or the next.

With Mayor Jacob Frey as the emcee, the Bold Hope in the North program highlighted both the problem of homelessness and the hope. Mayor Frey repeated his commitment to ending homelessness, hoping to make Minneapolis the first major city in the country to end street homelessness. What an accomplishment that would be!

The Singers were honored to be able to bring a message of community and hope to the event. We sang three songs and left feeling uplifted and excited about the music of the day, the message of hope, and a renewed sense of community. None of this is possible alone. We can only do it as a community with a willingness to do the work.

How can you help?

• Visit http://www.dceh.org/era/ to learn more about this program.
• Donate to DCEH at http://www.dceh.org/give/.
• Join the Mill City Singers by contacting Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).
.
Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

 

Saturday
Feb032018

7 ½ Foot Brain Ice Sculpture at the American Academy of Neurology 

Photos submitted

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), 201 Chicago Avenue, is currently home to a 7 ½ foot brain ice sculpture (located at the corner of 2nd Street S and Chicago Avenue, across from the Guthrie). Rob Graham, winner of the 2014 St. Paul Winter Carnival ice sculpture contest, carved the sculpture onsite. Additionaly, 28 windows on the building’s first floor are wrapped with dynamic images representing athletes of all sports, ages, and gender.

Here is a video of how it all came together:

AAN, headquartered in the heart of the Mill District, represents 34,000 neurologists and neuroscientists worldwide. They are the world’s most trusted authority for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that help neurologists make decisions related to the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic diseases such as sports concussion, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, among many others.

A concussion does not occur only on the football field—it can affect athletes of all sports at any age, gender, or level of sport played. AAN's goal is to educate the public on the importance of “When in Doubt, Check it Out” if someone suspects a concussion. Their AAN guideline summaries serve as educational tools for patients, families, coaches, and the public. In 2015, the AAN released an updated Sports Concussion Guideline to help people recognize the signs of concussion and help doctors manage and treat concussion. For more information, visit AAN.com/concussion.

Friday
Feb022018

Spring 2018 Westminster Town Hall Forums Announced

 

Since 1980, the Westminster Town Hall Forum (free and open to all) has provided unique opportunities to explore the key issues of our day from an ethical perspective. In just an hour, guest speakers will expand your mind and maybe even change your perspective. Forums are always aired at noon on MPR News Presents, 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities. Noon forums are broadcast live, and evening forums are recorded for later broadcast, usually within a day or two of the event.

The Spring 2018 dates are:

SUZY HANSEN  March 22

Topic: An American Abroad in a Post-American World 

Suzy Hansen is an American journalist and editor. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has lived in Istanbul since 2007 after receiving a journalism fellowship from the Institute of Current World Affairs to write on Turkish politics and foreign affairs. Since then, she has traveled for her work to Libya, Greece, Egypt, Afghanistan, Kuwait, India, Kenya, and beyond. She is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, London Review of Books, Vogue, GQ, Bloomberg, and Businessweek. Her first book, Notes on a Foreign Country: An American Abroad in a Post-American World, is a geopolitical memoir, challenging her assumptions about American beneficence abroad, America's role in the Middle East, and our country’s place in the world.

NADINE BURKE HARRIS April 10

Topic: Healing the Effects of Childhood Adversity and Trauma

Nadine Burke Harris is a pediatrician and advocate for children’s health. She is the founder of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, which researches the impact of adverse childhood experiences, affecting children at all socio-economic levels and putting them at higher risk for health, behavioral, and learning problems. She has shared her research and insights at the Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Pediatrics, Google Zeitgeist, and Dreamforce. She is the recipient of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation’s Humanism in Medicine award and the Heinz Award for the Human Condition. She is an advisor to the Too Small to Fail initiative, which promotes the importance of early brain and language development in children, and the author of the new book The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity.

STEVE SCHMIDT May 1

Topic: A Candid Look at Today's Headlines

Steve Schmidt is a political strategist, public relations executive, and an on-air political analyst at MSNBC. He was an advisor in the George W. Bush administration and served as the top strategist for the president’s 2004 re-election campaign. In 2008, he was the senior advisor to John McCain’s presidential campaign. He is a vice president at Edelman, a global communications marketing firm, where he advises politicians and business executives on a wide range of issues, including technology and telecommunications, financial services, energy, health care, and more. He serves on the board of the nonprofit research organization JUST Capital, which ranks companies on their commitment to fair pay, equal treatment of all workers, community-building, and sustainability. With David Plouffe, he founded the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware. 

RICHARD STENGEL May 22

Topic: Mandela's Way: Lessons for an Uncertain Age

Richard Stengel is a journalist, author, and a former managing editor of Time. He has written for numerous publications, including The New Yorker, The New Republic, Spy and The New York Times, and he appears regularly on television as a commentator. In 2013, he accepted the position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Obama administration. He has served as the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, established by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution. He collaborated with Nelson Mandela on his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, and he was a producer on the documentary film Mandela. He is the author of Mandela’s Way: Lessons for an Uncertain Age. A graduate of Princeton University, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied English and history.

Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1200 Marquette Avenue. 

Town Hall Forum Website

Friday
Feb022018

2018 Italian Film Festival scheduled for February 22 - 25

Celebrating its 10th year, the Italian Film Festival returns to the St. Anthony Main Theatre, hosted by the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul. Organized by the Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis-St. Paul (ICC), a nonprofit committed to sharing Italian art, culture, and language in the Twin Cities, the festival screens the best contemporary Italian movies, from quirky “Italian-style” comedies to socially-relevant documentaries.

Alongside Minnesota premieres, the festival showcases Italy’s cinematic history with a newly-restored Italian classic each year–this year, we celebrate the work of Vittorio De Sica with a digitally restored screening of his timely comedy Il Boom (1963) starring Alberto Sordi.

To commemorate the IFF’s 10 years in Minnesota, the Film Society has created something new this year, the “Building Bridges: Emerging Filmmaker Awards.” Their talented jurors have selected two short films by new filmmakers living in Italy and Minnesota and you’ll have a chance to see the winners at the closing night film.

Join the Film Society Thursday, February 22 through Sunday, February 25 for an amazing mix of documentaries, dramas, and comedies that will take viewers on a spectacular journey through the landscapes and stories of Italy and its people.

Thursday
Feb012018

Izzy’s Ice Cream 5th Annual 13 Days of Giving, February 15 - 27

Izzy’s Ice Cream, 1100 Second Street S, is again hosting Izzy’s 13 Days of Giving, February 15 - 27.

As a local, family-owned business in the Twin Cities, Izzy’s Ice Cream appreciates the great fortune of being in a supportive community that allows them to be successful year after year. Each February they attempt to give a little back (something other than just ice cream!), and this year they are hosting their 5th Annual 13 Days of Giving. For 13 days in February, they show their love for different non-profits by featuring a different organization each of the 13 days of February around Valentine’s Day. Izzy’s will donate $2 from every cone sold to a different non-profit each day. Customers also are welcomed to make additional donations beyond the ice cream purchase as well.

- The Three Angels Fund
- Walking Shadow Theater Company
- United Way
- Minnesota Youth Symphonies
- Ruff Start Rescue
- Minnesota Communities Caring for Children
- Autism Society of Minnesota
- Walk-In Counseling Center
- Partnership Resources Inc.
- Adopt a Classroom
- Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative
- Land Stewardship Project
- Minneapolis Youth Baseball Association
- The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund
- Central High School
- The St. Luke Foundation for Haiti
- Science Museum of Minnesota 
Wednesday
Jan312018

Jessica Prudden Took a Chance and Created Her Own Real Estate Marketing Company

Article and photos by Merle Minda

Jessica Prudden, partner and owner of Prudden & Company.Jessica Prudden was working away happily as a realtor and leasing representative for condo marketing behemoth FirstService Residential (FSR), a nationwide realty services company which handles a large swath of Twin Cities condos. She had already found her niche in real estate which allowed her to use her design interests as well. She then helped FSR to create their leasing division for condo and apartment renters, developing the branding, web site and marketing materials for that specific business.

Suddenly came the day, just over one year ago, when FSR no longer wanted to be in the leasing business. Enter Jessica with a plan to buy the leasing portion of FSRs business and create her own. Now Prudden & Company, just one year in business, is thriving in downtown real estate and condo rental services. Again putting her design smarts to work, this time for her own company, the branding, website and marketing approach came together quickly. All of FSRs rental/leasing customers became her clients. As a renter myself who went through this change, I can tell you that it was absolutely seamless. And for Jessica, being in her own business is a dream come true.

With a glam office on the main floor of 909 Washington Avenue North, Jessica and her team are busily working with clients and whatever turns up. This past week, for example, she took time out from a flood of Super Bowl rental requests to talk with me.

As a true business bonus, the housing demands of the Super Bowl have lent sudden urgency to her business. A recent article in the Star Tribune by Jim Buchta stated that Prudden & Company booked more than 30 house and condo rentals for the week, including two house rentals of over $200,000 each.

Jessica is a partner in the new company, and has now welcomed Peter Prudden, her husband and operations manager, into the business as another partner. The office and realty staff has swelled too, with Didi Aron, realtor; Catie Braun as Realtor/agent and Rachel Ellingson as office manager. During my visit, Jessica’s web developer Drew Mintz of Edition Studios, hovered as well.

Left to right, Didi Aron, realtor; Peter Prudden, partner and operations manager, and Jessica Prudden, partner at Prudden & Company.

Prudden & Company has a futuristic office, all huge glass street front windows, one long, large table studded with high-end computers where everyone sits at their own station. I did not see a piece of paper anywhere – no file cabinets either. Printers for those all-important leasing contracts were discreetly hidden behind smoked glass doors. Impressive!

 “With so many people downsizing and wanting to move into the Mill District, and so many new buildings going up, we are uniquely positioned to help clients with their specific needs and adaptation to their condo and life in the city,” says Jessica. “My contacts and relationships were already in place so I was able to hit the ground running,” she continued. “And I love every minute!”

Reach Prudden & Company at https://pruddencompany.com/contact/ or call 612-875-4675.

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About Merle Minda

Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.

Tuesday
Jan302018

Become a Guest Reader at Cedar Riverside Community School

Article by Claudia Kittock

Remember that wonderful time in life when you would tuck your children into bed and then climb in beside them and read stories? I remember the wonder in my children’s eyes as they discovered new worlds. The giggles, the interest, and the glory of showing them how wonderful reading is.

Our neighborhood school, Cedar Riverside Community School is looking for Guest Readers. A Guest Reader is someone that wants to share their love of literacy with the 1st or 2nd grade students. You can share one of your grade appropriate favorites or well-liked children's book with the class as a read aloud.

The role of the Guest Reader is to remain anonymous until s/he enters the classroom on the designated reading day. The program is designed to be a surprise, so only the staff members in the classroom will know ahead of time who will be reading to the class.

Since time is limited, it is imperative that Guest Readers arrive on their scheduled day in the Main Office to sign in by 9:30 am. Guest Readers will have from 9:40-10:00 am to share their book or books with the class and answer any questions or comments that may come up. On the days marked as Augsburg on the schedule, Augsburg University staff and students will be Guest Readers in the campus bookstore.

I encourage you to join this exciting program and share your love of books with our neighborhood children! Thanks for your enthusiasm!!! You can be a guest on two different days this spring -  just pick 1st grade for one time and 2nd grade for the other.

Cedar Riverside Community School is excited to share this program with you, and their staff looks forward to welcoming you into their school community. You can sign up by going to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ffxyW11PbtNpUPa7ozUXCEIOJ_QGJ9i10DmXp6cIbrw/edit

Cedar Riverside Community School is at 1610 S 6th Street. If you have any questions please call Coach Weber at 763-464-2790 or e-mail jweber@crcs-school.org.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).
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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

 

Sunday
Jan282018

Out of the Box Opera to Present Fusion Evening of Opera, Jazz and Soul Saturday, February 10, Live at The Weisman Art Museum

Article by Merle Minda

Innovative opera company Out of the Box Opera presents Live at the Weisman, another performance evening of operatic adventure, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm. The Fusion Series includes several iconic musical styles fused into one fantastic evening of music, - a mashup of opera, jazz, soul and everything in between.

David Lefkowich

“The program includes Puccini to Gershwin to Mozart to Stevie Wonder: a musical journey exploring the best of each genre and celebrating music,” says Out of the Box artistic director David Lefkowich.

Performers include singers/special guests: Chris Colmenero, tenor; Clara Osowski, mezzo soprano; Brittany Ann Robinson, soprano; bass Ben Sieverding and opera/musical theater performer Dom Wooten. Musicians include Lara Bolton, piano/arrangements; Doug Little, saxophone, and Nate Babbs, drums.

Lara BoltonAlready known for creating uniquely delightful musical experiences, Out of the Box Opera last performed Diva Cage Match, a soprano sing-off, in October 2017 at the Uppercut Boxing Gym in NE Minneapolis. With “Opera for New Audiences” as its mantra, Out of the Box Opera is led by artistic director David Lefkowitz, well-known to Twin Cities’ opera audiences for his six years leading Mill City Summer Opera to high achievement. This new program has been co-conceived by David Lefkowich and Lara Bolton.

Tickets are available at www.outoftheboxopera.com and http://wam.umn.edu/calendar/opera/

Co-creators of Out of the Box are Noah Eisenberg and James Berman.

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About Merle Minda

Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.

Saturday
Jan272018

Spoonriver Announces Wednesday Night Trivia Mafia

America’s best trivia is coming to one of Minnesota’s most acclaimed farm-to table restaurants. Starting February 7th, play trivia every Wednesday night at Spoonriver in Downtown Minneapolis’ Mill District.

The trivia events are designed for teams of 1-6 people - so get together a crew of your brainiest friends and win some great prizes: 1st Place Team wins a $30 Spoonriver Gift Card, 2nd Place Team wins a $20 Spoonriver Gift Card, along with other prizes and discounts every week.

There’s no cost to play, it’s totally free!

More info